The wild life: A berry long walk by Laura and Philip Bunting

The first in a series of environmentally friendly books with a group of Australian animals having adventures, will have instant appeal to those newly adept at reading chapter books and like the joy of lots of illustrations. And illustrations by Philip Bunting will be recognised by children as they follow the animals and their daily travels. In the first book, A berry long walk, the idea of feeling safe is explored as Wombat refuses to go on a walk with his friend because he fears the unknown. Roo comes to see Wombat with his idea but Wombat balks, jumping into his burrow. He tells Roo that he does lots of things to keep himself safe. He tells Roo about his poo, which is expelled in little squares. When a butterfly wings by, Wombat takes a step back in fear. He continues to outline his fears in the face of Roo’s promising him berries, and the two set off, Roo then a little fearful himself that the story of berries is only a rumour.

This long chapter of about 25 pages, is followed by seven more chapters of shorter length, allowing a newly confident reader to taste reading a book by themselves.

Chapter two sees the two friends, still having the same discussion. Wombat sees a massive mountain that it fears and Roo calms his fears urging him on. Chapter three sees them overcome the mountain, in chapter four the pair meets an echidna, and in chapter five Wombat almost falls off the mountain. On they go, the argument recurring all the time as Wombat wants to go home, and Roo adamant that they will find some berries.

The text displays a common argument between friends when each want to do something different. The text encourages all readers to assimilate the division that can occur over a point of view.

Supporting the text are Philip Bunting’s wonderful illustrations, showing the animals in all their argumentative best finding their way through the various obstacles in their way. Physical obstacles are shown on each page, and the emotional obstacles are shown in their faces as Roo encourages, cajoles, pushes, lifts his friend Wombat to their goal.

Bunting shows many Australian animals on the way to the berries and includes a fantastic map at the end of the book to reprise where the animals went. Readers will love the continuing argument between the two friends, each showing a respectful attitude toward the other’s point of view, and the environments they travel through to get to their goal. Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: Australian animals, Environment, Wombats, Arguments, Points of view.

Fran Knight